Prof. Henry James · Health · Lifestyle & Fitness

Nov 10

Why Prolonged Sitting And Standing Is Unproductive

Sitting too much will probably shorten your life. Entrepreneurs sit a lot. No wonder recently this new smart cushion Darma became instantly popular on Kickstarter.

The key to reversing the effects of sitting is not standing – it’s standing up regularly.

Switch up sitting and standing every 30 minutes, advises Cornell University ergonomics team. How would you remember to switch? And who will tell you to keep your back straight?

Moyra Paworth

That is certainly good advice and one should take careful note of that. It is so easy to get absorbed with what you are doing on the computer that one can forget to stand or move around to help ones body remain in good shape and be healthy.
Pamela

With my household, this is not a problem. The opposite what I enjoy. Take the load off my feet now and then. Pacing life at a gallop is what it’s all about.
Deborah

This is a very good article. I have had to do both sitting for longer periods of time and standing for long periods of time and I knew neither was very good for me. Now I always try and balance the 2.
candlestick

This is a great article Henry. I need to do this on a daily basis. After sitting long times at a computer I really start to feel it in my legs and bad neck.
Kim

Excellent blog Prof Henry. As a pediatric nurse I know how important it is to get exercise at work. I am at a desk for a while and then rooming patients etc, so I am up and down all day long, and I teach these young children to do the same so they get a good start in these healthy practices. Not sure if they take my advice but I sure hope they do.
Madelyn Asher

Great article, Henry!! Scary one, though. I used to walk, this is encouragement to me to start again. It is so important not to become stagnant, so I try never to let that happen. Thanks for the reminder. It’s easy to forget. Maddy56
pjlcrusader

Two years ago I began to get a pain in my right arm when I tried to raise it.It got to the point that I could not raise it above shoulder height. I took a trip to chiropractor, he happened to only provide upper cervical care. He provided no treatment to my arm, he merely aligned the part of the spine in my neck. After a few visits my arm was OK. The cause was PC related, the use of the “mouse” I now have have my laptop on a shoe box on my desk to keep my head up. I now use a wireless keyboard with mouse clicks and scroll ball in it. Had no problems since.
probst ramgoolie

Thanks Prof for reminding us! Also, for those that cant get up often at work, you can also stretch at your desk! Frequently raise your arms as high as you can go as if you were reaching for the sky! Extend your feet and keep it extended off the floor for as long as you can,then do a pendling motion as if you were pendling on a bike, not easy to do but helps your circulation! Also extend both arms to one side and pretend you are trying to to reach something but you cant reach because you are sitting down,repeat on other side. Start stretching slowly until you feel the stretch, be careful and do it slowly at first. Remember, the key is to move frequently and stretch and move around in the chair so that you are never in the same position for too long!
Wendy

Thank you Henry! I have been reading more and more about this research and it certainly makes sense and is a concern. I really have to send my husband in here to read this blog.
stogy

Wow. Thought provoking article. I work 12 hour shifts sitting down. Will be standing up more for sure.
Agnes Campbell

Great advice Henry and an even better reminder to those of us who have this knowledge and have not practiced it. ahem..
I know I am not alone when I admit to being absorbed in my activity that I neglect my own health. Pain is a great motivator and a rather stern reminder….use it or lose it.
Ron M

My body is not the greatest, with parts missing. It is a chore to sit, stand, walk, but switching helps the endurance. I have noticed that the longer I sit, the more lethargic I become not wanting to move. I have used timers and they help but developing the habit of swithching or listening to your body helps a great deal.
Pol

I have bursitis in my right arm and so often pain reminds me to get up and move around which helps a lot. However, I will also take note of your advice re-keeping my back straight as I do tend to hunch over my keyboard. Thanks Henry.
sophye

This is very good advice..I can see a difference since I have incorporated it into my daily work habits!!
Alison Lee Cousland

Yes, if you are working online and don’t have something like this smart cushion Darma, you definitely need to develop a lot more self discipline in order to regularly break away from the absorption of whatever you are doing.

I love sharing & interacting through social media and also spend a lot of time editing and developing images ~ Becoming TOTALLY absorbed in whatever I’m doing.

Fortunately, I’ve also been co-creating with nature to transform a near barren suburban backyard into a beautiful garden and then there’s nearby bush that lures me away from the computer ~ But not every 30 minutes. Ever since reading this and similar articles on the dangers of prolonged sitting I’ve been sitting and standing and stretching ~ AND remembering to BREATHE as I work.

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